Third Saudi Plane Carrying Medical Aid Arrives in Tunisia

A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)
A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Third Saudi Plane Carrying Medical Aid Arrives in Tunisia

A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)
A third plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the spread of the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday on an air bridge set up by Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Following the directives of King Salman, a third Saudi plane carrying medical supplies to help combat the coronavirus arrived in Tunisia on Thursday.

Orders to send medical assistance to the North African state were issued after a request for aid by Tunisian President Kais Saied during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The aid, which included medical machines, care and treatment devices, and protective equipment, was flown by a team from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief).

Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al-Saqr, Tunisian Minister of Defense Brahim Bartagi, Minister of Health Dr. Fawzi Al-Mahdi, and the president’s chief of staff Nadia Akacha, were on hand when the plane reached the tarmac.

Bartagi said that the Kingdom sent high-precision equipment and advanced technology, which would improve the capability of public hospitals to receive patients, adding that the Kingdom “generously offered to send a large number of medical and treatment devices, vaccines and other necessary materials.”

Nissaf Ben Alya, a spokeswoman for the Tunisian health ministry, praised the assistance provided by the Kingdom to support Tunisia in this critical situation to confront the spread of the virus, adding that the Saudi leadership responded quickly and intervened rapidly with the ongoing health crisis.

She said that the Saudi medical aid had begun to make its way to public hospitals across the country.

In other news, Saudi Arabia also sent aid to help combat the spread of the coronavirus in Kyrgyzstan.

The KSrelief has dispatched a $500,000 medical aid package to support Kyrgyzstan in its fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

King Salman instructed KSrelief to support the country, and Saudi Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Ibrahim bin Radi Al-Radi delivered the aid.



185,000 Yemenis to Benefit from KSrelief-Funded Project

An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
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185,000 Yemenis to Benefit from KSrelief-Funded Project

An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), launched a vital $2.25 million project to improve sanitation services for over 185,000 people in Maarib, including host communities and internally displaced persons.
This 12-month initiative aims to provide essential sanitation and hygiene support through enhanced facilities and strengthened local waste management capacity, fostering safer, healthier living conditions and building long-term resilience for communities heavily impacted by Yemen’s ongoing conflict.
Abdusattor Esoev, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen said, “This project is a lifeline for the people of Maarib, who are facing some of Yemen’s most challenging conditions.”
He added that with hundreds of thousands struggling to access basic sanitation, this initiative provides immediate relief while laying the groundwork for lasting, community-led solutions.
“By providing critical support, we are not only meeting urgent needs but also helping communities regain a sense of dignity, safety, and stability,” Esoev said.
Largest concentration of displaced people
As the area with Yemen’s largest concentration of displaced people, Maarib has become the country’s largest host of internally displaced persons, sheltering nearly 1.6 million people who have fled conflict, insecurity, and deteriorating living conditions across the country.
Once a governorate of 350,000 people, Maarib’s population has now surged to over two million, placing an immense strain on its infrastructure and basic services.
This unprecedented magnitude of displacement has led to overcrowded displacement sites and heightened pressure on local resources, leaving many without access to adequate sanitation, clean water, and waste management systems.
Al Jufainah site alone, Yemen’s largest displacement settlement, hosts more than 73,000 people, many of whom rely on external aid to meet their most basic needs.
Coordinated Response
Recognizing the strain on local resources and the urgent need for expanded sanitation services, IOM, with KSrelief’s substantial funding, is implementing a coordinated response to address these critical needs.
Planned interventions include the construction of 200 household latrines, the rehabilitation of 600 cesspits, and the provision of essential equipment to enhance local waste management.
The project will further support Maarib’s Hygiene Improvement Fund (HIF) with the provision of garbage and vacuum trucks to strengthen waste collection and fecal sludge management, ensuring cleaner, safer environments.
By increasing local capacity and infrastructure, this initiative provides immediate relief and promotes long-term resilience and self-sufficiency for Maarib’s communities.
This partnership with KSrelief is a continuation of its sustained commitment to supporting IOM’s humanitarian efforts in Yemen, where millions face acute needs.
As the project progresses, IOM will continue working closely with local authorities to ensure the delivery of effective, sustainable sanitation and hygiene solutions that protect public health, support social stability, and offer hope to those most affected by Yemen’s ongoing crisis.